News from the Centre

Making organic feed more sustainable

The issue

Organic poultry rations are heavily dependent on imported ingredients, primarily soya but also cereals. This leaves producers at the mercy of global market prices and does not sit comfortably with the organic principles. This short film summarizes the issues and suggests a number of approaches to the problem.

Grow something different

Sunflowers are usually grown for their oil, and the meal left behind has been long been part of poultry diets. But what if we were to grow them primarily as a high protein and energy feed? This report and summary booklet, prepared by the Organic Research Centre, makes the nutritional case for doing so. On-farm trials at Capestone Organic Poultry in Pembrokeshire showed they are extremely high in energy but protein levels are disappointing. In combination other complementary home grown ingredients such as dehulled beans, it is possible grow significantly more of our feed in Wales than is currently the case.
report and summary booklet, prepared by the Organic Research Centre, makes the nutritional case for doing so. On-farm trials at Capestone Organic Poultry in Pembrokeshire showed they are extremely high in energy but protein levels are disappointing. In combination other complementary home grown ingredients such as dehulled beans, it is possible grow significantly more of our feed in Wales than is currently the case.

Work together

This is all about growing better quality cereals closer to home. Naked oats are particularly suitable for poultry diets because of their high oil content and proportionately higher levels of the amino acids that birds need most. This report confirms the nutritional advantages of naked oats compared to other cereals, documents the experience of producers growing this crop and looks at how direct relationships between Welsh arable and poultry producers can improve access to quality, traceable ingredients at fair prices.